Monday, June 19, 2006

The phone rang. Alex was sitting on the couch watching Batman reruns. He eyed the phone suspiciously and hesitated before standing up, picking up the receiver, and answering. The voice on the line was female and shy. She said, “I’m calling about the want ad in the paper.” Alex waited for her to continue. “Is it … is it serious?” she asked. For the fourth time that morning Alex regretted ever putting the job post in the Help Wanted section of the New City Herald. The ad read:

Superhero seeks sidekick. Must be a self-starter and able to take direction. Powers a plus. Some typing required. Serious applicants only. Call 555-5576 for more information. EOE

“Yes, it’s serious,” Alex replied with a sigh. The last person to call had just started laughing at this point. Alex mentally braced himself for a barrage of taunting.

“Well, uh, how do I, like, apply?”

It was Alex’s turn to ask, “Are you serious?”

There was a moment of silence, then the female voice said, “Well, yeah, if … you are.” Alex stammered an assurance. He was amazed, and a little skeptical, that someone was finally taking his want ad seriously. Is it just someone playing along to get a good laugh at my expense? Or is this one real? Despite his reservations, Alex suggested a time and place for an interview the next day. The voice on the other end agreed.

Alex set the receiver back in the cradle and sat back into the couch. Batman and Robin were battling henchmen with Bam! and Pow! springing from their landed punches. The two ended up back-to-back. They ducked in unison and let two villains punch each other over their heads. A smile slowly spread across Alex’s face.